34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Other Translations of Matthew 12:34

King James Version

34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

English Standard Version

34  You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

The Message

34 "You have minds like a snake pit! How do you suppose what you say is worth anything when you are so foul-minded? It's your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words.

New King James Version

34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

New Living Translation

34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 12:34

Commentary on Matthew 12:33-37

(Read Matthew 12:33-37)

Men's language discovers what country they are of, likewise what manner of spirit they are of. The heart is the fountain, words are the streams. A troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring, must send forth muddy and unpleasant streams. Nothing but the salt of grace, cast into the spring, will heal the waters, season the speech, and purify the corrupt communication. An evil man has an evil treasure in his heart, and out of it brings forth evil things. Lusts and corruptions, dwelling and reigning in the heart, are an evil treasure, out of which the sinner brings forth bad words and actions, to dishonour God, and hurt others. Let us keep constant watch over ourselves, that we may speak words agreeable to the Christian character.